Cut paper
decorations are a tradition all around the world. it’s a simple, and
inexpensive media to work with, and adds a bright element to any
celebration. Perhaps nowhere is this folk art practiced more
exuberantly than in Mexico, in the form of Papel picado (‘punched
paper’).

Mexican artisans generally
use hammer and chisel to cut up to 50 layers of tissue in a single
stroke. Banners, flags, and altar decorations are created for holidays
such as Day of the Dead, Independence Day, and Christmas, and then once
the festivities are over, left to the mercy of the elements.

My techniques and many of
my images are rooted in the tradition of papel picado, but all images
are original and hand cut. I start out with an original image drawn on
sketch paper, and then using an X-acto knife, (making them ‘Papel
cortado’) I cut out the negative spaces, leaving an intricate,
interconnected and unusual handcrafted image. Sometimes they are cut in
editions of two or three, but as I use heavier, archival papers, never
more than that.

Current News:

I now reside in the beautiful Hudson Valley, just north of New York City.
My work is adapting to my new environment, and updated photos are coming
soon. I work by commission, and would enjoy working with you to create a
unique image that will commemorate a special day or a gift for someone you
like, a lot.